Original Goal Statement

Susan R. Dick

First and foremost my goal is to pursue and achieve my Master's Degree and ultimately to continue my education

after that. I am a police officer by profession however; one thing that is lacking in my profession is the absence

of academic stimulation on a regular basis. Although there are courses within the framework of the profession

many of them are not as academically challenging as university courses, especially at the graduate level.

Much of the policing profession is based on common sense and one's instinctual ability to predict behaviour

and react. I am interested in attaining a higher level of education and pursing my master's will enable me to

continue my studies and invariably utilise that knowledge in a new avenue within my profession itself, in the

teaching realm. I am employed by the Ontario Provincial Police and we are one of the largest police services in

the country. We have our own Police College and we also have numerous officers who are seconded to the

Ontario Police College in teaching capacities. This degree would enable me to be more qualified in the adult

teaching area which would be a benefit to securing a permanent position teaching at one of the colleges.

I currently teach Abnormal Psychology and Traffic Management within the Police Foundations Diploma Program at

a Community College in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. This program is set out for students that want to become

police officer's or customs agents. It is an accelerated program that combines two years of study into one full

year. The program begins in September and concludes the end of August. Some of the students in the program

are right out of high school while others are entering the program after participating for several years in another

profession or vocation. It would be extremely helpful for my teaching at the community college level if I was able

to focus on some adult learning strategies. Since my focus is on the topics at hand I have no formal basis for

the teaching concepts.

I am currently the President and assistant coach of high school level athletes at a small distance running club in

a rural area near the City of Kitchener, Ontario. I have been involved in an administrative position with a volunteer

organization for the last three years. I have also assisted in a coaching capacity in track and field related

disciplines for the same period of time. I was the head instructor at a self-owned and operated equestrian

facility for over three years from 2000 to 2002. If I am able to pursue my master's degree in education it will

help me significantly in my future endeavours in an administrative capacity as well as in the coaching area.

My interest is in Coaching Education concentration area as well as the K-14, adult learning concentrations. I have

taken the Coaching Education graduate certificate program and would like the opportunity to complete the

remaining courses in this area. Also, as mentioned previously I am currently teaching at the college level and

would like to discover and integrate innovative teaching philosophies into my program.

The online program is a good fit for me because I can work it into my schedule. I work shift work which consists

of two twelve hour day shifts followed by two twelve hour nights and then four days off. This makes it too

difficult to attend on campus on a regular basis. I have had experience with online learning both with my

workplace and with my participation in the graduate certificate program in Coaching Education. I am familiar

with the online process and I have the self-discipline and determination to work hard to achieve my goal.

In conclusion, I would ask that you consider me for the online Master's program so I can continue my academic

quest for self-development. I can only hope that I am given an opportunity to partake in the program. This will

enable me to continue on to reach my ultimate goal and quench my academic thirst for knowledge.